n.
chiefly Brit. a narrow, sheltered waterway such as an inlet in a shoreline or channel in a marsh.
▸N. Amer. & Austral./NZ a stream or minor tributary of a river.
Phrase
- up the creek
informal - in severe difficulty or trouble.
- Brit. stupid or misguided.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. crique or from ON kriki ‘nook’.